The utility of rapid on-site cytological evaluation during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Background: The utility of a rapid on-site cytological evaluation (ROSE) for the assessment of EBUS-TBNA specimens is still unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the utility of ROSE during EBUS-TBNA. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 36 patients who had undergone EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy between January 2012 and September 2013. We compared the following points between the groups of patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA with/without ROSE: the length of the examination for EBUS-TBNA, the number of needle aspirations per patient, complications, diagnostic yields and additional examinations needed. Results: ROSE was performed in 18 of 36 patients. Available specimens for the diagnosis were obtained from 17 of 18 (94.4%) cases without ROSE and 17 of 18 (94.4%) with ROSE. The on-site diagnosis and final diagnosis were concordant in 11 of 17 (64.0%) cases without ROSE and 13 of 17 (76.4%) with ROSE. There were no significant differences in the diagnostic yield, the number of needle aspirations, the rate of complications or clinical decision making between the two groups. The mean examination for EBUS-TBNA was 31.4 min in cases without ROSE and 18.4 min in those with ROSE (p Conclusions: ROSE during EBUS-TBNA could reduce the length of the EBUS-TBNA and make additional examinations unnecessary. ROSE may be a beneficial tool for the management of EBUS-TBNA specimens.